Contents

Background

In the anime, according to Kakashi Hatake, Kushimaru committed many acts of cruelty in his lifetime, killing his sensei being one of them.[2]

Personality

In the anime, Kushimaru was shown to revel in killing like his other swordsmen team-mates, taking pleasure in crucifying countless shinobi. He is also noted to have committed many cruel acts such as killing his sensei. Kushimaru does not take kindly to anyone outside the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wielding one of their swords and resolved in claiming the Kubikiribōchō from Kakashi. He also tends to argue a lot with Jinpachi Munashi, his fellow comrade. The two swordsmen collective cruelty earned them the nickname "Heartless Pair" (非情コンビ, Hijō Konbi) from Kakashi.[2]

Appearance

Kushimaru was very thin and tall in stature, which gave him an overall gangling appearance. He had long, shaggy, straw-coloured blond hair and due to his service within the ANBU, his face was concealed by a white, porcelain mask, with a green-coloured triangle on its lower half, slits for eye-holes and Kirigakure's symbol etched into the top. His attire consisted of a sleeveless black shirt, matching pants, complete with a waist-guard, and Kirigakure's striped wrist and leg-guards. He also wore bandages around his neck like the other members of his generation of the swordsmen.

Kenjutsu

Kushimaru wielded the unique longsword Nuibari. With it, he was not only able to precisely pierce multiple enemies in quick succession, but also stitch them together utilising a substantial length of wire attached to the blade. This aptly demonstrated his proficient dexterity while handling this particular needle-like sword, as he was able to repeatedly catch it securely just mere moments after previously forcing the blade through his adversaries.

In the anime, he is seen using senbon and setting a trap for his opponents by hiding his wire strings underground to form a complex structure, that cuts off the opponents feet. He can also use a technique that kills the enemy slowly and painfully.[2]

Part II

Shinobi World War Arc

The previous generation of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist reincarnated.

In the anime, his sealing is expanded upon. When dawn broke on the war's second day, Kushimaru reappeared on the battlefield as he and Jinpachi Munashi went on a killing spree until Kakashi intercepts them. Upset with an outsider wielding the Kubikiribōchō, Kushimaru decides to reclaim the sword from Kakashi, resulting in a bicker with his fellow swordsmen. The swordsmen taking advantage of their immortality to overwhelm Kakashi until Might Guy backs him up. The Konoha shinobi's teamwork and his constant arguing with Jinpachi proves his downfall.[2]

In the manga, it was only noted that Kushimaru and the other reincarnated shinobi being dealt with by the Third Division were sealed away before Kakashi and Might Guy departed for Naruto Uzumaki's location.[3] Later, with the release of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, a light of sorts encased Kushimaru's sealed body as the technique was dispelled and his soul was returned to the afterlife.

Trivia

Kushimaru (串丸) roughly means "skewer", and Kuriarare (栗霰) means "chestnut hail"; like all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his surname is derived from a type of produce.